Ericsson’s 8th annual TV and Media report finds around 70 per cent of consumers now watch TV and video on a smartphone – twice as many as in 2012. Smartphones now make up a fifth of total viewing, with approximately six hours per week spent watching TV and video on the device. Among the report’s other key findings: VR technology will be an essential component of TV and video in the future; and by 2020, only one in 10 consumers will watch TV on a traditional screen. Quantitative data for the study was collected from 13 countries, including Canada.

Bell Media has entered into an agreement with Corus Entertainment to acquire French-language specialty channels Séries+ and Historia. Bell Media currently operates 10 French-language TV channels in Québec, including Canal D, Canal Vie, Cinépop, Investigation, RDS, RDS Info, RDS2, Super Écran, VRAK, and Z. The transaction is subject to approval by the CRTC and the Competition Bureau, and is expected to close in mid-2018.

Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana and Discovery Communications have announced the formation of a new venture to produce content for the kids’ market in Canada, Latin America, and globally. Based in Canada, the yet-to-be named venture will operate independently of Corus, Discovery and Nelvana’s other services. A press release says the venture combines the strength of the Discovery Kids business in Latin America, and Corus’ suite of kids’ channels in Canada – both of whom will commission content from the new production company.

The CRTC has issued notice that it will hold a hearing Apr. 30 on renewing mandatory distribution orders for TV services. The deadline for submitting interventions, comments or answers is Nov. 16.

CraveTV is now available to Cogeco customers in Ontario, further expanding the streaming service’s distribution footprint across Canada.

The Beaverton returns for a second season on The Comedy Network on Nov. 1. The satirical original series now tapes Mondays in front of a live studio audience before premiering Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy. Season 2 will also roll out Fridays on CraveTV, beginning Nov. 3 and Sundays at midnight on CTV, beginning Nov. 5. Full episodes, episode highlights, and exclusive digital shorts will also be available on TheComedyNetwork.ca, TheBeaverton.com, and ComedyGO, following their broadcast premiere.

Super Channel has acquired the exclusive Canadian broadcast rights to critically-acclaimed television series American Gods. The eight-episode first season, produced by FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) and adapted from Neil Gaiman’s best-selling contemporary fantasy novel, will premiere in Spring 2018 and also be available to subscribers on Super Channel On Demand. The first season, partially filmed in Toronto, was a hit with both audiences and critics and has been renewed by Starz in the U.S.

Showcase’s Star Wars movie event over Thanksgiving weekend reached 6.9 million Canadians, according to Numeris PPM data. The network was #1 each night (Ind. 2+ and Adults 25-54) from Oct. 7 – 9, with each movie averaging 328,000 viewers (2+).

CTV is pushing up the air date of Long Time Running, in tribute to Gord Downie. The film, which chronicles The Tragically Hip’s 2016 Man Machine Poem tour and final concert in their hometown of Kingston, will make its commercial-free world television premiere Fri., Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The 95-minute film was previously scheduled to debut in November.

40 years ago this week, the House of Commons entered the television age on Oct. 17, 1977. From the CBC Archives, watch as hosts Peter Kent, John Drewery and reporter John Warren introduce the first live broadcast of Question Period.

Blue Ant Media has officially launched its new animation studio Look Mom! Productions. The Toronto-based unit is producing creator-driven animated content for kids (6-11), teens and adults (18-34), led by creative director Joshua Bowen.